Science Article

Guinness Book of World Records cites skydiving as providing the highest speed to an individual in a non-mechanical sport. The idea of skydiving is not new. Leonardo da Vinci thought about parachuting and left a few drawings about it to show how such a device might work.

In France during the 18^th Century Sébastien Lenormand, J. P Blanchard and André Jacques Garnerin became serious about falling from heights and made experimental jumps from hot air balloons. During World War I, parachutes operated with a "static line," a cord attached to the plane and to the chute which caused the chute to open automatically. These were widely used to evacuate planes that had been damaged.

"Skydiving is exhilarating ... you merely feel the pressure of the air against your body ... then the parachute opens."
Philippe Theys

"Was it the most exciting event of my life? I can answer 'yes' that was the case for me."
Alexandre Baubert

"I felt completely relaxed, listening to the wind and feeling like a bird."
Risa Centenni

"Have you ever wondered what it would be like to jump out of an airplane?"
Miguel Garcia